Right-wing activists are targeting Black scholars

Right-wing activists are targeting Black scholars with accusations of plagiarism, particularly those studying structural racism and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Harvard professor Karen Mapp and others fear these racially motivated attacks, which have already affected several Black female scholars at Harvard. Activist Christopher Rufo and right-wing outlets like the Washington Free Beacon are leading these campaigns, alleging widespread fraud in DEI fields.

The accusations have led to significant backlash, with some faculty and civil rights leaders describing the actions as a “witch hunt.” Critics argue that these attacks are an attempt to undermine DEI efforts and discredit Black academics. Scholars like Harvard’s Khalil Gibran Muhammad view these campaigns as politically motivated assaults on the legitimacy of Black scholarship. Despite the controversy, right-wing activists continue to push for a rollback of DEI policies in academia.

Source: NPR
Image Source: Office of the Governor of Massachusetts (Charlotte Hysen/Governor’s Press Office), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons